Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-14
Canning and Packing Business

Canning and Packing Business.
Among the present important industries
of Maine may be included the canning and
packing business. Attention is not so often
nor so emphaticaly called to it. because
the industry is so widely diffused, in, tor
the most part. small villages and hamlets.
Yet wherever factory is located, there
are unmistakable evidences of employ
ment and profit.
The packing business in this State is
comparatively new industry. But very
few years have elapsed since the first can
was sealed. 1t is authoritively stated that
sardine canning was the initiative step.
This branch of the business has been con-
tinued in Eastern Maine with considerable
financial success. 1t is confined almost
wholly to Washington county for the sim
pie reason of the greater abundance of the
fish in the waters on that part Of the coast.
The annual product of canned fish, of
PASSPORT alone, amounts to over quarter
of a million of dollars. The success at
tending the canning of the sardlne led to
an increased variety of canned goods.
HOLSTERS and other fish were preserved by
this process with equal success. The cost
of procuring and preparing them was,
however, so great that Gamers looked
about for some other product that could be
preserved at less expense and with less
labor The vegetable kingdom was at.
tackled and corn. squash, tomatoes and
berries, chiefly the BURBERRY, were packed
IN tin cans. The popularity of these goods
caused heavy demand upon the factory
men who, encouraged by so great success
of what seemed to them a venture, put
new capital into the business and pushed
their way into the best farming sections of
the State.
The difference in the ripening season of
vegetables was 5000 taken advantage of
so that, by our factories, there was packed
quite a variety of products. In some
instances fish and berries were canned by
the same factory and in others, fish and
vegetables. Not unfrequently, several
kinds of fish were packed by the same
concern. Such multiplication of products
gave more constant employment to the
operatives as we'll as increased the profit
to the employers.
The cost of plants for any canning
business is greater than is generally sup
posed, and more so when variety of
products is furnished by the same factory.
The cost of the buildings may or may not
be very great; these may be built accord
ing to the fancy OF the owner and may
not be finished more than is required to
protect the goods within. Yet from
casual examination of the factories
throughout the State there is certainly
much to be said in praise of the general
appearance of the establishments.
There is also another pleasing dsap-
pointment to one who is unacquainted
with the business. More skill is demand
ed of the workmen employed than is ex-
pected. Can-making is particular work
since upon the perfection of the can de-
ponds the preservation of the product in
closed So throughout each department
there is n certain exactnesS to be observed.
The various branches of the business must
be learned; hence the necessity of giving
constant employment if possible, to the
hands engaged in the legitimate factory
work.
A considerable amount of experiment
ing has been gone through to bring this
business up to the position ii now occu
pies. But more frequently have expert
ments proved successful than otherwise
else the enterprise of those engaged in
the business would have received a
serious check. The permanency of the
industry is attested by its magnitude.
Statistics concerning it are faulty, yet it
is safe to say that the total products in all
branches of the business for 1886, ap-
proximated one and one half millions OF
dollars in value the capital employed may
be stated at seven hundred and fifty ,hous-
and dollars and the number of employees
reckoned at fifteen thousand 1t is coLf-
IDENTIFY believed that if complete statistics
could be obtained. the industry would
be shown to be much more important.
The value of the business TO the citizens
of the State is thus shown to be consider.
able. The employment given. although
for short season during tho year. is of
great benefit to certain class who by this
means are able to earn money when their